On Thursday, 07 June 2001, we returned to Cork and turned in our rental car. We then went to the bus station to buy a special "Green Card" for bus and train travel. From there we took a bus to Waterford, County Waterford. We checked into the Sion Hill B & B, and then taxied to the Waterford Factory.
Demonstrations in Blowing & Shaping; Annealing; Blank Processing using diamond-tipped saws; Inspection; Marking & Cutting; Engraving & Sculpting; Master Craftsman's Workshop; & Visitor's Gallery and Shop.
We purchased some items at the Gallery and had them shipped to our homes in the U.S.A. Prices were considerably less than if purchased in the states.
We stayed at Sion Hills House at Ferrybank, Co. Waterford, Ireland. The gardens at Sion Hill House are over 250 years old. The 5 acres of gardens are divided into formal gardens with parkland and woodland walks. There is a large antique restored fountain (1870 era fountain) which has mature lime and maple trees within the garden...some planted around 1729. Over 400 old shrub roses enhance the gardens along with magnolia, maples, tulip trees, hydrangeas. There is a Victorian walled garden at the side of the house with small fish ponds and and a secret garden on the other side of the house laid out in a Japanese style. Home of George and Antionette Kavanaugh. E-mail: Sion Hill House
We spent Thursday night at Sion Hill House and ate at the Wine Vault restaurant Thursday evening. We were awakened the next morning by the sound of bagpipers serenading a cruise ship's passengers. It appeared that passengers were being brought to shore.
Waterford "quay" from the Sion Hill House B & B across the River Suir In the 18th century these quays (wharfs at which ships load and unload cargo) were described as the best in Europe.
On Friday, 08 June 2001, we checked out of Sion Hill, took a taxi to the train station, and left for Kilkenny. While riding the train we noticed numerous ruins of medieval castles and stone fencing along the countryside. We toured castles and cathedrals with lunch & dinner in Kilkenny and left later that night for Dublin.